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Captain Phillips Star Barkhad Abdi Boards Blade Runner 2

With Warner Bros. and Alcon primed to get the cameras rolling on Blade Runner 2 next month, the studio’s casting spree is beginning to draw to a close – but not before Captain Phillips star Barkhad Abdi books his place in the star-studded ensemble.

Word comes by way of Entertainment Weekly, revealing that Abdi – who earned an Oscar nomination for his turn as a Somali pirate in Paul Greengrass’ 2013 film – has boarded the as-yet-untitled sequel in an undisclosed role. Outside of Harrison Ford reprising as grizzled San Francisco cop Rick Deckard, there has been a similar veil of mystery smothering Blade Runner 2‘s other casting announcement, which have up until now confirmed Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Carla Juri and Dave Bautista for the sci-fi sequel.

That secrecy extends to the story underpinning Warner’s long-awaited follow-up, too, but we do understand Denis Villeneuve will be the one calling the shots from behind the lens, teeing up a reunion with cinematographer Roger Deakin following their work on both Sicario and Prisoners. Remaining behind the scenes for the time being, Ridley Scott, the creative mastermind behind the original 1982 classic, is attached to produce.

Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment have pegged Blade Runner 2 for release on October 6, 2017 – only one month after Scott’s other seminal sci-fi franchise continues with Alien: Covenant.